Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University softball fell to MSU Moorhead twice in the 2022 NSIC opening day. The Wolves recorded 17 hits in the two contests, however were unable to fend off the Dragon attack.
 
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score Game 1: NSU 4, MSUM 5
Final Score Game 2: NSU 7, MSUM 16
Records: NSU 8-16 (0-2 NSIC), MSUM 5-13 (2-0 NSIC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED GAME 1

• The two teams played three scoreless innings to kick off the contest
• MSU Moorhead jumped out to a lead, notching one run in the fourth and four in the fifth
• The Wolves answered back with one run in the bottom of the fifth on a single by Hannah Smith, scoring Jessi Hernandez
• Northern chipped away in the sixth on back-to-back homeruns by Liv Richardson and Alexandria Arndt; Kamdyn Barrientos scored on the Richardson long ball
• NSU had their opportunities to score in the seventh, leaving one runner in scoring position
• The Wolves tallied their four runs on six hits with one error on defense
• Meghan Anderson suffered the loss, her eighth of the season, giving up three earned runs and striking out eight
• Abigail Rux entered in relief, throwing 2.2 innings with one hit and one strikeout

 
NORTHERN STATE GAME 1 STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

• Claire Zyblut: 2-for-4, double
• Liv Richardson: 1-for-2, 1 run, homerun, 2 RBI, stolen base
• Alexandria Arndt: 1-for-3, 1 run, homerun, RBI

 
HOW IT HAPPENED GAME 2

• Moorhead scored first in game two, notching four runs in the top of the third
• The Wolves quickly answered back, taking a 6-4 lead in the bottom of the frame
• Scoring for NSU in the third was Ashley Fauske, Claire Zyblut, Liv Richardson, Kamdyn Barrientos, Shelby Novotny, and Alexandria Arndt
• The Northern lead did not last long, as Moorhead tallied three runs in the top of the fourth
• Fauske tied the game at seven on a ground out by Barrientos in the fourth, however the Dragons added six runs in the sixth and three in the seventh to seal the victory
• The Wolves tallied their seven runs on 11 hits with two errors defensively
• Reagan Elrod started for the Wolves, giving up seven earned runs on six hits
• Abigail Rux and Meghan Anderson both entered in relief, with Rux suffering her fourth loss of the season

 
NORTHERN STATE GAME 2 STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

• Liv Richardson: 3-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI
• Ashley Fauske: 2-for-4, 2 runs, double
• Kamdyn Barrientos: 2-for-4, 1 run, 2 RBI

 
UP NEXT
Northern travels to Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State for a pair of NSIC doubleheaders this Saturday and Sunday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday against the Golden Eagles and 12 p.m. on Sunday against the Beavers.